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aspireSPRING/SUMMER 2026 WHY DUAL ENROLLMENT MADE SENSE FOR THE CURTIS SIBLINGS BUILDING SKILLED TRADES PATHWAYS CLOSE TO HOME A 48-YEAR PARTNERSHIP STILL MOVES WOMEN AND FAMILIES FORWARD A ONE-YEAR PROGRAM GAVE THERESA LOVE A PLACE TO START — AND ROOM TO ADVANCE. A practical path into nursingASPIRE - YOUR NORTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN COLLEGE MAGAZINE NORTH CENTRAL MAIN CAMPUS 1515 Howard St. Petoskey, MI 49770 231-348-6600 CHEBOYGAN CENTER (Cheboygan High School) 801 W. Lincoln Ave. Cheboygan, MI 49721 231-625-3614 GAYLORD CENTER 620 E. 5 th St. Gaylord, MI 49735 989-705-3775 ONLINE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Keith A. Pretty, J.D., Chair Chris Etienne, Vice Chair John Fought, Treasurer Melissa Keiswetter, Secretary Jason Kromm James Shirilla, M.D. Janelle A. Wozniak, MSN LOCATIONS Aspire is an award-winning, biannual magazine produced by North Central Michigan College’s Marketing Department. Megan Van Horn Director of Marketing and Communication Catherine Coe Digital Marketing Manager Jasper Warner Digital Media Administrator Kathryn Bardins Marketing Administrative Manager @NorthCentralMC ncmich.edu Community colleges play a central role in preparing learners for what’s next, thereby helping to shape the communities they serve. At North Central, that role continues to grow. It is reflected in milestones like commencement, and it’s strengthened through ongoing investments in programs that align with future workforce needs. Programs are expanding in areas that matter most to Northern Michigan, including skilled trades, technology, and healthcare. These efforts are guided by a clear focus: Graduates should leave with skills that translate into opportunity. By developing these in-demand skills, learners can move straight into the workforce. We’re also building stronger pathways for what comes next. Students can begin their education close to home and continue on from North Central to earn a bachelor’s degree. What’s more, dual enrollment opportunities are helping more high school students get an early start, creating a stronger pipeline for the future. This work reflects a broader shift in higher education. Community colleges are not only opening doors; they’re helping ensure those doors lead to meaningful outcomes. In these pages, you’ll see how we are adapting to changes in the economy, strengthening partnerships with employers, and creating more intentional pathways for student success. For Northern Michigan, the impact is both immediate and long term. Employers gain access to a skilled workforce. Students build careers and stability. The region benefits from continued growth and resilience. Our work remains forward-focused, with a commitment to preparing students and communities for what comes next. We are grateful for your continued partnership in support of these efforts. Together, we are shaping the future of our region. David Roland Finley, Ph.D. President Where the future takes shape3 WWW.NCMICH.EDU From Shoreline to Student Impact: The Kaine Property Gift After Pat Kaine and her family gifted two parcels of Crooked Lake shoreline to North Central, the college partnered with the Little Traverse Conservancy to protect the land. Proceeds from that gift are now helping fund the launch of North Central’s dental hygiene program. Read the full story: bit.ly/kaine-gift North Central is developing a dental hygiene program designed to prepare graduates for in-demand, high-wage careers while expanding local access to care. WHY IT MATTERS: Patients may wait 12+ months for preventive care. Open hygienist positions can go unfilled for more than a year. Delayed care can lead to more serious health issues over time. REGIONAL NEED: Across Northern Michigan, the need for trained dental hygienists continues to grow. Michigan schools graduate 353 dental hygienists each year, but 545 are needed to meet demand — an annual shortage of 192. Meeting the need for care begins with building the workforce close to home. Meeting the need, locally FUNDING THE FUTURE: Learn how you can support Northern Michigan’s first dental hygiene program. Stock Photo We give. T GETHER NCMC FOUNDATION 15–20 students per cohort 4,200 patient visits annually (projected) Nearly $79k mean annual salary in Northern Michigan (BLS 2025 Michigan Occupation and Wage Data) Estimated Launch: Fall 2028 North Central will be the only provider of dental hygiene education north of Big Rapids. Program Snapshot (Pending approvals; North Central’s program is in the accreditation process and has not yet been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission or the Commission on Dental Hygiene Accreditation.) Learn more on page 17 The map below highlights the concentration of dental hygiene programs downstate — and the opportunity for North Central to become the only provider north of Big Rapids, serving Northern Michigan students closer to home. Bringing dental hygiene education to Northern MichiganASPIRE - YOUR NORTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN COLLEGE MAGAZINE Where she was meant to be An unexpected start in hospice care led Jordan Wies to a career guiding patients and nurses through the moments that matter most. 4WWW.NCMICH.EDU The labor and delivery position she had imagined for herself was already filled by the time she was ready to apply. Instead, Jordan Wies began her career in hospice care, where the work was quieter and often more personal. “I learned how to have meaningful conversations with patients about what’s important to them,” she says. “It changed how I think about quality and quantity of life.” It wasn’t the path she had planned, but it turned out to be the one that defined her. “I’m so grateful that I didn’t get the job in labor and delivery, because I know this is where I’m meant to be,” she said. That understanding didn’t come all at once. It took shape over time — through classrooms, clinical settings, and a series of decisions that brought her back to Northern Michigan. Wies’ interest in healthcare started in high school, when a friend encouraged her to take a health occupations class at Charlevoix High School. “That experience allowed me to see the many career choices healthcare has to offer, although I instantly gravitated toward nursing,” Wies said. After a year at Northern Michigan University, she returned home and enrolled at North Central. “Choosing NCMC allowed me to pursue nursing while staying connected to my community,” she said. “It provided a strong foundation for my career.” Jordan Wies leads a post-simulation discussion with North Central nursing students, helping them build confidence by connecting their training to real-world patient care. Continued on page 8 5 Graduate Leah Fleis celebrates with a signature howl — and mascot paws peeking out beneath her gown — in honor of her behind-the-scenes role as Thunder the Timberwolf during her time at North Central. 6 Keynote speaker Frank Ettawageshik addresses the Class of 2026 during North Central’s 66 th annual commencement ceremony. A longtime Northern Michigan leader and former chairman of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Ettawageshik spoke to graduates about community, stewardship, and service.Former NCMC trustee Phil Millard addresses graduates after receiving an honorary degree of Community Service in recognition of his longstanding leadership and nearly two decades of service to the college. COMMENCEMENT 2026 See more photos, watch the ceremony, and browse our list of graduates: ncmich.edu/commencement THE CELEBRATION CONTINUES... 7 8 ASPIRE - YOUR NORTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN COLLEGE MAGAZINE Following her graduation in 2017, Wies joined McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital, gaining experience in medical- surgical, oncology, and hospice care. The pace and expectations varied, but the work required the same core skills: communication, attention to detail, and the ability to adapt in complex situations. In 2020, Wies and her husband moved to Florida’s east coast, where she stepped into a team leader role while continuing her education. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and later transitioned into travel nursing, working in hospitals across Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. “My time as a charge nurse and travel nurse strengthened my confidence, leadership skills, and ability to adapt in fast-paced environments,” she said. The experience expanded her perspective — and pointed her toward a new direction. Over time, she found herself drawn not only to patient care, but to supporting other nurses as they developed in their roles. By 2024, Wies had returned to Petoskey, joining McLaren Northern Michigan as a clinical educator and supervisor while pursuing her Master of Science in Nursing. When it came time to complete her required preceptorship, she reached out to a familiar place: North Central. Through NCMC Career Services and a connection with nursing instructor Holly Owen, Wies secured a placement in the college’s nursing simulation lab, a setting that would bring together her clinical experience and growing interest in education. “My MSN preceptorship at NCMC was a defining experience,” Wies said. “It allowed me to connect educational theory with real-world practice.” In the simulation lab, she helped guide students through scenarios designed to build clinical judgment and patient safety. The work differed from bedside care but carried the same urgency and purpose. “Jordan’s dedication to student learning and patient safety was clear from the start,” Owen said. Their collaboration continued. Wies and Owen are working together on simulation-based training designed to help nurses recognize early signs of patient deterioration so they can respond effectively. Today, Wies serves as clinical education specialist and supervisor of Patient Care Services at McLaren Northern Michigan while also working as Simulation and Nursing Lab coordinator at North Central, supporting both bedside staff and nursing students. In the simulation lab, her focus shifts to students. “I focus on helping them think through what they’re seeing and respond with confidence. It’s not just about getting it right — it’s about understanding why.” The path that led Weis here wasn’t the one she expected. But it gave her something more lasting: a clear sense of the kind of nurse she wanted to be, and the opportunity to help others become the same. ▲ Figures reflect activity from July 1, 2025 – April 15, 2026 “The most rewarding part of my work is helping nurses build confidence while ensuring safe, high- quality patient care.” — JORDAN WIES NORTH CENTRAL CAREER SERVICES 129 Students and alumni served Community members supported Employers actively recruiting 31 478+ 300+ Internships and job opportunities posted Where Education Meets Opportunity NCMC Career Services helps students, alumni, and community members turn learning into meaningful work while strengthening Northern Michigan’s workforce. Real-World Connections From first résumé to first job offer, Career Services provides personalized guidance while connecting students with internships, job shadows, and networking opportunities that lead to employment. Regional Impact By linking talent with opportunity, Career Services helps local employers find skilled candidates while preparing students to live and work in Northern Michigan. “Our goal is to ensure all who leave NCMC Career Services do so with clear direction and the confidence to take the next step.” — Wendy Kresnak, Career Development Specialist MEANT TO BE Continued from page 59 WWW.NCMICH.EDU THE WORK IS HERE Across Northern Michigan, contractors describe a familiar pattern: jobs booked out, timelines stretched, hiring that struggles to keep pace with demand. North Central’s new skilled trades programs are taking shape in response, with a focus on local training aligned with what employers need. Where the gap shows up For many businesses, the challenge is about both growth and continuity. Experienced workers are nearing retirement, and not enough new workers are entering the pipeline to replace them. Jeff Grantham, owner of Petoskey’s Grantham Building & Remodeling, LLC, and a longtime leader in the Home Builders Association of Northern Michigan, sees the cumulative effect. “In our booming market in Northern Michigan, the shortage of a skilled workforce affects everything from project timelines to a community’s ability to meet the growing housing and construction demand,” Grantham said. “When training opportunities aren’t available close to home, contractors and employers are forced to look outside the region, or — even more costly — train new workers themselves. Projects take longer and housing costs increase because the mentors are less productive training others on the job.” A more direct path North Central will begin offering skilled trades training this fall through a partnership with the Greater Michigan Construction Academy (GMCA). Initial offerings include a core construction curriculum aligned with the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), along with pathways in HVAC and welding. Students begin with baseline competencies — safety, tools, materials — and build toward more specialized training tied to specific roles. “The value of this model is its consistency and alignment with what regional businesses are asking for,” said Cassandra Hernandez, dean of NCMC Workforce and Continuing Education. Built with employers Through its partnership with GMCA, the college is building on a curriculum model already used across the construction trades, grounded in NCCER standards. This framework provides consistent training and credentialing, allowing skills to transfer across employers and regions. Expanding into the region reflects a need GMCA has seen in other parts of the state: connecting more people to training aligned with employer demand. “This partnership extends a proven training model into Northern Michigan, expanding access for individuals while maintaining consistency with national standards,” said GMCA Vice President Bridget Sadenwater. Building capacity The new programs are part of the college’s broader effort to expand career and technical education following completion of its $22 million Career and Technical Education Enhancement (CATEE) project. “This is about increasing capacity,” Hernandez said. “We’re building a workforce that can support and sustain the region long term.” What comes next The first classes begin this summer with welding instruction in Cheboygan as the Martin Jahn Technology Center nears completion. By fall, classes shift to the new facility alongside programs in CAD, CNC machining, HVAC, and mechatronics. From there, the work continues: training more students and building a workforce that reflects the needs of the region. The jobs are already here. Now there’s a clearer way to fill to them. p Skilled trades jobs remain in demand across Northern Michigan. North Central is building a clearer path to fill them.Next >